And a very merry Christmas to you!
Well it feels like that anyway with all the church celebrations that are going on at all times. But no, its just the same old celebration everyday. Gracias a Dios!
This last week was nice and tranquilo. School has been canceled this week and next week for various reasons, or at least on the days that I have class. Therefore I wanted to make sure last Friday the students received their full dose of business acumen. Counterpart 1 didn´t show up. And she had the class plan, so I was blessed, gracias a dios, to improv an hour and a half class. I'm a pretty relaxed teacher, but when they wont stop talking I tend to raise my voice pretty high. That will teach them!
I have some free time, so i thought it would be a great idea to start a huerto in my house and at 2 of my schools. A huerto is like a Little vegetable garden. I figure this would be mutually beneficial since I would choose what will be planted, and thus get to reap the rewards of our efforts, that is the students and mine. To get this plan off the ground, I solicited the help of one of my AGGIE friends, Jessa, who lives 4 hours north in a town called Kukra Hill. She came on a 5 am ruta, remember folks, these are the covered wagons that I take to Wapï. The trip lasted for 4 hours, absolute nonsense. I set up meetings with the principals of the schools so Jessa could explain how she is doing her huerto at the school in Kukra. Things went smoothly, I mean the principals like me and so I can pretty much do what I desire.
My goals with the huerto are to:
1) eat some tasty foods.
2) Learn how to grow a veggie garden and start a compost
3) Teach the kids how to do the same
4) Implement the garden into my entrepreneurship class in various ways
a. Have them do studies on feasibility of larger production within the community
b. Pricing calculations of production
c. Local demand for our products
d. Effective marketing strategies to sell these products
e. Also i want to sell the harvest to raise money because the students will be starting their own companies next year in the class, therefore they will need some initial capital.
So we hung out Saturday and went to the Internet café to watch the Alabama Penn State collision of football Goliaths. Jessa is a Penn state fan so I thought that this would be a great chance for me to really get in to football mode to demoralize a fan right in the flesh. I was nice to her considering the thrashing that Alabama unleashed on the out manned opponent. There was a glitch however. In true Nica fashion, the power went out in the 3rd quarter so we were forced to leave the game. Fortunately there was Little wondering to be done as a significant lead had already been built. We went to eat and have a Toña before calling it a night.
Sunday rolled around, but before Jessa had to take a 9:30am ruta back to Kukra Hill, which to my understanding is more like Kukra Plateau, we decided to hike up El Rama´s very own majestic hill – Mountain. We did this in the early morning, because frankly, its been hotter than hell recently; i feel like I'm slowly melting away. Gracias a dios for water bottles and ice cold beers in my favorite air conditioned bar, la costa verde!
Yesterday, Sunday the 12th of September was my host moms birthday. I didn´t know what to get her so i said i´d work my ass off in the huerto in her back yard and produce some delicious vegetables and other goodies for her. She said what all mothers say, ¨ohh son, as long as you are nice and kind and thought full, that's all any mother wants, I don´t need anything.¨ This kind of conversation happens frequently, although she just completed 31 years of life. That detail changes everything as I really feel more like her brother than her son. Although she does cook for me, and take care of me like a mother, so I guess ill go with that.
Adios!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Coconuts with Rum and Cuban Cigars for Fun
Back to work! After a week of being a degenerate bum for a week, I was able to be pretty productive this last week. On Monday, like every Monday, I did my hours of Spanish study. I have to admit that I have been pretty diligent about trying to learn this language, but to no avail. I feel like for the effort that I have put in, I have not seen an equally proportional result in language improvement, however I will continue; I am determined this time around to conquer Español.
Tuesday of this past week was another fun day adventure to Wapí. So I take the taxi to the entrance to Wapí like usual and wait there for about 45 minutes until the Ruta, as they call the wagon, comes by. When it does, I get on a little frustrated about my circumstances, and how on a weekly basis I have to deal with this shit and wait and wait only to sit on a covered wagon that takes 2 hours each way to go to a school where I don’t really teach, and my counterpart doesn’t do the reading before I get there. Then about 20 minutes into the ride thinking about the same circumstances I had a little epiphany. I’m sitting on a wooden plank that makes me about a foot higher than the rest of the passengers; I’m also facing the back of the Wagon while they are on side facing benches, and I’m listening to some fun music when it hits me that this is hilarious. I’m being bounced around on this silly little wagon with intermittent sprinkles of rain on my face and an entire Ruta looking at me as the weird Gringo going to some remote community in the middle of Nicaragua. So I just started to smile and enjoy it for what it was.
Wednesday came around rather quickly as it has been lately. The weeks are flying! This is already my 6th week in site. I cant really believe it, and it makes me realize that this 2 years really will pass me by. So the day starts off at 8 in the morning with a planning session with my counterpart at the local Catholic school. I really like this counterpart; she is on top of it. I am then free to do more studying, which I do like a good student of the language would do. At 2 and 3:30 I have 2 more planning sessions with the other 2 schools that are around me. Or that is what I thought. At 12:36 my counterpart from the school right across the street walks over to inform me that we will be reviewing the equilibrium point class to the high school seniors because they are having trouble with the material. Absolutely fine with me, I was excited to be able to impart some knowledge on these youngsters. Then I get to the class only to have them present some equilibrium point project, which was done completely wrong by the whole class. Furthermore, when I tried to correct them, I was informed I had to wait till they had finished presenting before I could share my wisdom. This of course frustrated me because I couldn’t stand sitting in my little seat listening to these kids present improperly the subject material for so long. Well I got through the day, a little more patient. I have been noticing my patience level climb, which I’m sure most of you know is probably a virtue that I was lacking completely before my Peace Corps journey.
The following morning I did what I have been doing for the last 2 weeks now. That is 250 to 300 sit ups and 200 to 250 pushups. I feel a lot better about myself considering I eat mucho fried rice, beans and anything else that can be fried really. I complete my work out routine and you guessed it, I studied. I study on average about 4 to 6 hours daily. I was informed by my fried Sarah Jessamine that our friend Joe from a small site about 4 hours away called Rocky Point, was in El Propio Rama selling coconut products with his Host Family. They found a Nicaraguan NGO in El Rama that set them up for a night, paid for their travel to and from El Rama, and gave them a table at the little vendor market to sell homemade products. Joe´s family didn’t do so well but I imagine it was fun none the less. Joe and I enjoyed a large cup of Joe before I had to head off to a meeting I had at 2. I also gave him my old phone now that Im super flashy with my iPhone.
Fridays are my long days. I had class from 7am till about 4 pm at 2 different schools. Nothing exciting happened, just more 14 year old girls asking for my number. Ohh and when I say no, it doesn’t matter, because someone from the school will give it to them so they can harass me with texts and calls anyway. Que Barbaridad!
Time: 2am. This is the moment when I must wake up to take a bus to Managua for my host brother from Masatepes wedding. I get the bus with no problems, and arrive in Managdad at around 8 am. I had nothing to do, so I walked around the mall trying to find a present, but that didn’t happen, I figure my presence is present enough, right? I drank a beer or 2 while watching the Notre Dame game at a bar to pass the time, then I head to a hostel I had heard about that only costs 8 dollars a night to shower and get ready for what was to become an epic fiesta. After arriving to the Brides families house and conversing for 2 hours, the family heads to the church. WOW, I didn’t know my brother had so much money, because it had to cost a pretty penny to pay for the church, band, candles, and incredible blooming flowers that were engulfing the room. The ceremony was beautiful; however it was way too long, and had way too much praying and singing and religious content for my liking. Then came the Fiesta. The place they rented out was phenomenal. Top notch in all aspects. Flowers were everywhere, silver plates and smoked salmon and cheeses for appetizers. They had all types of liquor you could ask for as well as champagne, and wine. The band-Dj was really great as well. The food was delicious, and it was served at around 10pm, right when you needed it. At 12am there was an announcement, all people put on your straw hats and take a shot of tequila, or a few as most people did. Next thing I know, some waiter is passing out coconuts filled with rum, while his waiter buddy was passing out Cuban cigars. Overall, a spectacular wedding.
The next day was not so fun! I asked the bus company when I arrived what time the buses leave to go back to El Rama. He said 1 and 2pm as well as some other times. I decide to get to the bus station at 1:30 so as not to be late for the 2pm bus. Well I get there and they told me straight up like this ¨No siry bob. ¨ I was like great, next one leaves at 6 what should I do. I see a bus that leaves in 3 minutes to a town an hour and a half south of my town and decide to hop on. Then I realized I only had 160 cordobas, the normal bus to El Rama costs 150. I get on not knowing where I have to get off to catch a second bus to El Rama, and not knowing what the combination of the 2 bus tickets will be. Well the first ticket was 100, Excellent! Then after 4 hours they say if you’re going to El Rama get off here to catch the second bus, I couldn’t believe it, but right in front of us was the second bus, just waiting for us to hop on and go direct to the Rama. Next the guy says, that will be 40 cords please. I was flabbergasted, it all worked out perfect and I had some extra cash to spare. What a great Sunday! To top it all off, when the internet cafes are all but assured to be closed at 7 pm on a Sunday, I passed by one that was still open, and I had the extra cash to enjoy looking at the stories of glory and excellence about the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Roll Tide.
Hope your all Tip Top. If you get this as an email go to the blog webpage because I will try to have some photos and even a movie clip!
Tuesday of this past week was another fun day adventure to Wapí. So I take the taxi to the entrance to Wapí like usual and wait there for about 45 minutes until the Ruta, as they call the wagon, comes by. When it does, I get on a little frustrated about my circumstances, and how on a weekly basis I have to deal with this shit and wait and wait only to sit on a covered wagon that takes 2 hours each way to go to a school where I don’t really teach, and my counterpart doesn’t do the reading before I get there. Then about 20 minutes into the ride thinking about the same circumstances I had a little epiphany. I’m sitting on a wooden plank that makes me about a foot higher than the rest of the passengers; I’m also facing the back of the Wagon while they are on side facing benches, and I’m listening to some fun music when it hits me that this is hilarious. I’m being bounced around on this silly little wagon with intermittent sprinkles of rain on my face and an entire Ruta looking at me as the weird Gringo going to some remote community in the middle of Nicaragua. So I just started to smile and enjoy it for what it was.
Wednesday came around rather quickly as it has been lately. The weeks are flying! This is already my 6th week in site. I cant really believe it, and it makes me realize that this 2 years really will pass me by. So the day starts off at 8 in the morning with a planning session with my counterpart at the local Catholic school. I really like this counterpart; she is on top of it. I am then free to do more studying, which I do like a good student of the language would do. At 2 and 3:30 I have 2 more planning sessions with the other 2 schools that are around me. Or that is what I thought. At 12:36 my counterpart from the school right across the street walks over to inform me that we will be reviewing the equilibrium point class to the high school seniors because they are having trouble with the material. Absolutely fine with me, I was excited to be able to impart some knowledge on these youngsters. Then I get to the class only to have them present some equilibrium point project, which was done completely wrong by the whole class. Furthermore, when I tried to correct them, I was informed I had to wait till they had finished presenting before I could share my wisdom. This of course frustrated me because I couldn’t stand sitting in my little seat listening to these kids present improperly the subject material for so long. Well I got through the day, a little more patient. I have been noticing my patience level climb, which I’m sure most of you know is probably a virtue that I was lacking completely before my Peace Corps journey.
The following morning I did what I have been doing for the last 2 weeks now. That is 250 to 300 sit ups and 200 to 250 pushups. I feel a lot better about myself considering I eat mucho fried rice, beans and anything else that can be fried really. I complete my work out routine and you guessed it, I studied. I study on average about 4 to 6 hours daily. I was informed by my fried Sarah Jessamine that our friend Joe from a small site about 4 hours away called Rocky Point, was in El Propio Rama selling coconut products with his Host Family. They found a Nicaraguan NGO in El Rama that set them up for a night, paid for their travel to and from El Rama, and gave them a table at the little vendor market to sell homemade products. Joe´s family didn’t do so well but I imagine it was fun none the less. Joe and I enjoyed a large cup of Joe before I had to head off to a meeting I had at 2. I also gave him my old phone now that Im super flashy with my iPhone.
Fridays are my long days. I had class from 7am till about 4 pm at 2 different schools. Nothing exciting happened, just more 14 year old girls asking for my number. Ohh and when I say no, it doesn’t matter, because someone from the school will give it to them so they can harass me with texts and calls anyway. Que Barbaridad!
Time: 2am. This is the moment when I must wake up to take a bus to Managua for my host brother from Masatepes wedding. I get the bus with no problems, and arrive in Managdad at around 8 am. I had nothing to do, so I walked around the mall trying to find a present, but that didn’t happen, I figure my presence is present enough, right? I drank a beer or 2 while watching the Notre Dame game at a bar to pass the time, then I head to a hostel I had heard about that only costs 8 dollars a night to shower and get ready for what was to become an epic fiesta. After arriving to the Brides families house and conversing for 2 hours, the family heads to the church. WOW, I didn’t know my brother had so much money, because it had to cost a pretty penny to pay for the church, band, candles, and incredible blooming flowers that were engulfing the room. The ceremony was beautiful; however it was way too long, and had way too much praying and singing and religious content for my liking. Then came the Fiesta. The place they rented out was phenomenal. Top notch in all aspects. Flowers were everywhere, silver plates and smoked salmon and cheeses for appetizers. They had all types of liquor you could ask for as well as champagne, and wine. The band-Dj was really great as well. The food was delicious, and it was served at around 10pm, right when you needed it. At 12am there was an announcement, all people put on your straw hats and take a shot of tequila, or a few as most people did. Next thing I know, some waiter is passing out coconuts filled with rum, while his waiter buddy was passing out Cuban cigars. Overall, a spectacular wedding.
The next day was not so fun! I asked the bus company when I arrived what time the buses leave to go back to El Rama. He said 1 and 2pm as well as some other times. I decide to get to the bus station at 1:30 so as not to be late for the 2pm bus. Well I get there and they told me straight up like this ¨No siry bob. ¨ I was like great, next one leaves at 6 what should I do. I see a bus that leaves in 3 minutes to a town an hour and a half south of my town and decide to hop on. Then I realized I only had 160 cordobas, the normal bus to El Rama costs 150. I get on not knowing where I have to get off to catch a second bus to El Rama, and not knowing what the combination of the 2 bus tickets will be. Well the first ticket was 100, Excellent! Then after 4 hours they say if you’re going to El Rama get off here to catch the second bus, I couldn’t believe it, but right in front of us was the second bus, just waiting for us to hop on and go direct to the Rama. Next the guy says, that will be 40 cords please. I was flabbergasted, it all worked out perfect and I had some extra cash to spare. What a great Sunday! To top it all off, when the internet cafes are all but assured to be closed at 7 pm on a Sunday, I passed by one that was still open, and I had the extra cash to enjoy looking at the stories of glory and excellence about the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Roll Tide.
Hope your all Tip Top. If you get this as an email go to the blog webpage because I will try to have some photos and even a movie clip!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Panga Man You Will Be Missed
Happy Thursday! New Pictures are up - link is on the blogpage
Have I ever told you that it´s all for the kids? Well I just told myself that for the first time in a while, which led me to my most recent endeavor. I just got in contact with Las Lomas High School today, my former school for those of you out of the loop, to ask them if they would like to be paired up with me in a program that is facilitated through the Peace Corps. The program is called WorldWise Schools, and the focus of this program is to match Peace Corps Volunteers in the field with U.S. classroom teachers. The result? A vibrant two-year exchange of ideas, stories, pictures, and artifacts that helps U.S. students in the classroom learn about the people, geography, environment, and culture of the world from the direct experience of Volunteers living in other countries. Well, I talked to some people in the office, surprisingly, they all remembered my name, except for the student who answered the phone, but she has probably heard of me. haha. I think I will be placed with a 12th grade AP economics or geography classroom. I was going to pair up with my little 8 year old brother, but I decided I didn´t want to dumb down my inquisitive excerpts.
So what else is going down in the Rama you might be asking yourself? Not a whole hell of a lot. So every last Friday of the month, there is a meeting among teachers called TEPCES, it stands for something in Spanish that you wouldn't understand. How this affects me is simple, 3 out of my 4 schools teach my class on Fridays! So Tuesday when I am supposed to go to Wapí, the school really far away, I just plan, but since the TEPCES is across the street from my house, and my counterpart will be there, I did´t go because I will just plan with her Friday. My other 3 classes are obviously canceled so I don´t have class, nor do I have the need to prepare for class like I usually do during the week. This has resulted in a week filled with nothing but time. What have I been doing?
Studying ze Spanish. Literally 6 hours a day learning about subjunctive and catchy phrases. Today I went to talk to a local university about giving some entrepreneurship lectures to the students. In about 7 minutes I will be at one of my high schools, talking to the English teachers to see if they would be interested in my help. Shit, if they don´t want my help, they don´t want their kids to learn, fact!
By the way, Ramalama has many pretty women, the only problem is that once they turn 18 they also start turning out babies. ohh well!
I forgot to tell you last blog post that 10 minutes before my friend Jessa, Joe, Nga and I arrived at the port in Bluefields to come home, a man was fatally shot. The body was gone, but I literally walked over his massive pile of blood. 2 men came by panga, (little outboard motor passenger boat) jumped out, chased another panga driver and shot him to death. They fled on their boat, only to be apprehended by police on a much faster panga in no more than 20 minutes. Pretty riveting to say the least. I had a little goma, so I was out of it, and didn´t really care. I was more concerned with drinking my Coca Cola classic and relaxing in the shade then about the dead guy.
See Ya
Have I ever told you that it´s all for the kids? Well I just told myself that for the first time in a while, which led me to my most recent endeavor. I just got in contact with Las Lomas High School today, my former school for those of you out of the loop, to ask them if they would like to be paired up with me in a program that is facilitated through the Peace Corps. The program is called WorldWise Schools, and the focus of this program is to match Peace Corps Volunteers in the field with U.S. classroom teachers. The result? A vibrant two-year exchange of ideas, stories, pictures, and artifacts that helps U.S. students in the classroom learn about the people, geography, environment, and culture of the world from the direct experience of Volunteers living in other countries. Well, I talked to some people in the office, surprisingly, they all remembered my name, except for the student who answered the phone, but she has probably heard of me. haha. I think I will be placed with a 12th grade AP economics or geography classroom. I was going to pair up with my little 8 year old brother, but I decided I didn´t want to dumb down my inquisitive excerpts.
So what else is going down in the Rama you might be asking yourself? Not a whole hell of a lot. So every last Friday of the month, there is a meeting among teachers called TEPCES, it stands for something in Spanish that you wouldn't understand. How this affects me is simple, 3 out of my 4 schools teach my class on Fridays! So Tuesday when I am supposed to go to Wapí, the school really far away, I just plan, but since the TEPCES is across the street from my house, and my counterpart will be there, I did´t go because I will just plan with her Friday. My other 3 classes are obviously canceled so I don´t have class, nor do I have the need to prepare for class like I usually do during the week. This has resulted in a week filled with nothing but time. What have I been doing?
Studying ze Spanish. Literally 6 hours a day learning about subjunctive and catchy phrases. Today I went to talk to a local university about giving some entrepreneurship lectures to the students. In about 7 minutes I will be at one of my high schools, talking to the English teachers to see if they would be interested in my help. Shit, if they don´t want my help, they don´t want their kids to learn, fact!
By the way, Ramalama has many pretty women, the only problem is that once they turn 18 they also start turning out babies. ohh well!
I forgot to tell you last blog post that 10 minutes before my friend Jessa, Joe, Nga and I arrived at the port in Bluefields to come home, a man was fatally shot. The body was gone, but I literally walked over his massive pile of blood. 2 men came by panga, (little outboard motor passenger boat) jumped out, chased another panga driver and shot him to death. They fled on their boat, only to be apprehended by police on a much faster panga in no more than 20 minutes. Pretty riveting to say the least. I had a little goma, so I was out of it, and didn´t really care. I was more concerned with drinking my Coca Cola classic and relaxing in the shade then about the dead guy.
See Ya
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Drop Draws, Boyee!!
Muy Buenos Dias America,
I have had a pretty interesting 2 weeks. After Ryan left to continue his fun journey to the north, I got back to work, spreading my knowledge to a pretty uninterested selection of misfits. I had my site visit on Wednesday, that was semi-fun. My boss, came into town to check in on me and make sure that I am not loosing my mind. I assured her that in fact, my mind was flourishing in the Rama. I had appointments set up with all my counterparts, and the head lady at the ministry of education so that we could all sign a letter of intent and purpose for me being here, dedicating my precious time. All the appointments went off with a hitch, and the best part about it was that I specifically neglected to make an appointment with the school that is 2 hours away so that I wouldn't have to deal with that garbage. Needless to say, i think my boss was in accordance with my decision.
On that Friday of last week, the 13th, I found out that there wouldn't be school at 2 of my schools for some absurd reason. It is very common here for teachers to not show up and for school to get canceled at the drop of a dime. Speaking of teachers not showing up, one of my best counterparts told me that she would not be in class that day, in the only school that actually still was supposed to have classes. That's fine and all, because lets face it, I can dominate these kids easier without her being around. Just joking, but anyway, it was the class on equilibrium point, so i just taught my first solo class here in my site, and I have to say it went well, besides the heaps of sweat engulfing my face.
The weekend was super duper tranquillo, I watched muchos programas on my computer, thanks for the 24 mom, excellent choice.
So, Jeff does the Bluefields for a second time. That's right folks, I was in Bluefields from Monday till about 2 hours ago, aka 3:00 pm on Saturday the 21st of August. I have to say this trip made Bluefields a much better painting in my art gallery. We had the whole week filled with lectures and meetings with literally every famous and or important person in the city. We definitely receive special treatment being the pioneers of the Autonomous region and all. By the way, read about it, the history is crazy here, its supposed to have autonomy from the rest of the country because of all the crazy indigenous and African cultures.
We had terrible beds, no water, and 1000 bug bites while staying at the dorms at the university that we used for the week to host many of our lectures. The week was just plain fun. We had boring nonsense, followed by a slurry of fun. We would go out every night and eat phenomenal food, for cheep. I ate a Turtle on Wednesday for 4 dollars. Now before you freak out, this turtle is not the endangered species, but I have to be honest, it probably will be soon. So it was legal to eat, and it was delicious. It is a red meat, something in between cow, lamb, and alligator. Very nice indeed. I also devoured shrimp 3 times, fish, and 2 steaks, every meal was under 7 dollars, get out of here!
Last night, the gang went out for cocktails on the town, we had fun = now I feel like a pile of garbage. I had to take the panga ride today in a boat with no top = Im freekin Burntski. Ohh another fun thing we did is try some Drop Draws. This is a weird cocktail consisting of Turtle fin, Rum, Milk, Spices, and some other things I probably don´t want to know about. Over all it was a medium at best drink. However the name alone incites happiness. Kriol in the coast is hilarious by the way! Read About it, Rite Nya Da Beech, Boyee!!
Its all for the kids
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ryan and the Rama
1 week in the Rama and I already fell like I am home. My family is absolutely hilarious. I went to my school in Wapi on Tuesday which was every bit as long as I thought that it would be. It took me a total of 11 hours to get about 2 hours of work done. This mostly includes travel and waiting time.
On Thursday one of my best friends, Ryan Spiegel came into town from Granada, Nicaragua. He has been traveling up from Colombia and was able to spend a Few days in the Rama. Thursday night we relaxed, because I had to teach at 3 different schools on Friday. Friday, I went to all the rest of my schools to see what the teaching experience is going to be like. HOT!! I mean I was literally drenched in sweat at one of my schools, it was gross and I felt ashamed to be there so disgustingly wet from sweat.
Ryan came to my last school to see what a day in the life of Jeff will be like for the next 2 years.
Friday night was fun! The whole family, mom, cousin, aunt, uncle Ryan and I went to some reggae clubs to festejar Ryan´s arrival. We danced the night away, actually better than I thought I was capable of doing, until around 1:30 am. The next morning was rough, as we were to embark on a journey to the infamous Bluefields.
Bluefields is a city on the Atlantic Coast that is so isolated the only way in is a 2 hour boat ride down a river from El Rama. The people are of African decent, and speak primarily creole and English, as well as Spanish and other indigenous languages. I have a friend that got placed there as his Peace Corps site, so we were able to hang out with him as well. The city gave us a good time and great, cheap sea food, but it also gave me the reassurance that I was placed in the right site. Why? Well no offense Dino(my buddy there) but, the city is really ghetto and dangerous with way to many people begging for shit all the time. It got to the point where a guy would wait for 3 hours outside of a club for us to try and re-beg for money. Overall we had a good time but after 1 day I was ready to get out of there.
Sunday was my cousins birthday. We celebrated by eating really tasty ice cream that they sell here. I bought here a nice nepolitano cone, while I myself had the Strawberry. A delightful treat indeed. Anyhoo, Ryan left today, and I'm back at work sweating profusely all day long. Ohh and the Eskimo Ice cream shop nest to my house has an old BAMA football welcome matte. Roll Tide, I'm going to buy that for sure.
Hope all is well Everyone!, MOM send me 3 work out rubber bands, they sell them at sports authority. with all the ice cream that will be consumed I need to work out.
Love Jeff
On Thursday one of my best friends, Ryan Spiegel came into town from Granada, Nicaragua. He has been traveling up from Colombia and was able to spend a Few days in the Rama. Thursday night we relaxed, because I had to teach at 3 different schools on Friday. Friday, I went to all the rest of my schools to see what the teaching experience is going to be like. HOT!! I mean I was literally drenched in sweat at one of my schools, it was gross and I felt ashamed to be there so disgustingly wet from sweat.
Ryan came to my last school to see what a day in the life of Jeff will be like for the next 2 years.
Friday night was fun! The whole family, mom, cousin, aunt, uncle Ryan and I went to some reggae clubs to festejar Ryan´s arrival. We danced the night away, actually better than I thought I was capable of doing, until around 1:30 am. The next morning was rough, as we were to embark on a journey to the infamous Bluefields.
Bluefields is a city on the Atlantic Coast that is so isolated the only way in is a 2 hour boat ride down a river from El Rama. The people are of African decent, and speak primarily creole and English, as well as Spanish and other indigenous languages. I have a friend that got placed there as his Peace Corps site, so we were able to hang out with him as well. The city gave us a good time and great, cheap sea food, but it also gave me the reassurance that I was placed in the right site. Why? Well no offense Dino(my buddy there) but, the city is really ghetto and dangerous with way to many people begging for shit all the time. It got to the point where a guy would wait for 3 hours outside of a club for us to try and re-beg for money. Overall we had a good time but after 1 day I was ready to get out of there.
Sunday was my cousins birthday. We celebrated by eating really tasty ice cream that they sell here. I bought here a nice nepolitano cone, while I myself had the Strawberry. A delightful treat indeed. Anyhoo, Ryan left today, and I'm back at work sweating profusely all day long. Ohh and the Eskimo Ice cream shop nest to my house has an old BAMA football welcome matte. Roll Tide, I'm going to buy that for sure.
Hope all is well Everyone!, MOM send me 3 work out rubber bands, they sell them at sports authority. with all the ice cream that will be consumed I need to work out.
Love Jeff
Friday, July 30, 2010
Swearing In - I made it through training
This week has been tremendous. Let’s start with Sunday. So if you remember, I have been working with a group of students from a local high school to make a mango flavored hot sauce and commercialize it. For 5 hours Kate, Amanda (my group partners) and I worked with these kids to get the final labeling, business plan and presentation details finished before our competition that was held this Monday. We cooked our product and bottled it in old beer bottles that came with tops that some lady was selling. This really worked out spectacularly and solved our weeks old problem of not being able to find proper bottles.
Monday morning came around, and we met the kids at the bus station where the Peace Corps drivers came to pick us up to take us to a nice hotel about an hour away to have the competition. To our amazement they showed up decked out in school uniforms, brandishing a large Nicaraguan flag, a school flag, as well as bringing a table cloth and ingredients to help with the table presentation of the product. We set up shop and it looked great, our table was by far the most impressive out of the 13 teams. Each team had to present their product to a 3 person panel of judges for 10-15 minutes. The judges would then ask some relevant questions to see what the kids really know. The criteria for judging was based on, presentation, packaging, labeling, taste or quality, depending on the product, and creativity.
Well the third place team received 86 points out of 100 for their bean sweet treat. The second place team received 89 points for their homemade shampoo as well as winning best overall packaging for their hand crafted bamboo painted containers. Finally, the first place team received an astounding 96 points for their incredible mango hot sauce. Haha, that’s right, we dominated and also won best labeling. Our kids received new backpacks and cell phones. They were so happy!
Then on Tuesday we all left our host families for good to go to Managua for the last few days of training before being sworn in. It was sad to say good bye to a family that has been so kind and generous to me over the last 3 months, but it was equally exciting to start the next phase of this Peace Corps Experience. We are split up into 2 hotels by the Peace Corps office in Managua, the Agriculture volunteers in one, and the business volunteers in the other. It has been phenomenal eating at restaurants and sleeping in a comfortable bed, and taking hot showers for the last 3 nights. Especially because when I get to El Rama, I have no running water, so I have to take bucket showers.
Throughout the last few days, we have had some seriously boring lectures and presentations. However, On Thursday, we went back to the U.S. Embassy to talk with and meet with some interesting and intelligent people. The U.S. Ambassador, Robert J. Callahan spoke to us for a while, and did a Q and A session as well. He was a really great guy – Funny, humble, intelligent, firm, diligent, and detailed, all the things that would make you a good leader. He told us some great stories, including experiences with the current president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega. We also met with some people that worked at USAID, the world’s most preeminent international aid organizations, and people from the Foreign Service. I really thought that Thursday was a pretty cool day. That was a nice lead into today, Friday July 30, 2010.
Today we all woke up around 6 am to get ready for the big day. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. I wore a nice light blue tie and a white shirt, the tie was done flawlessly and I must say Donald Trump himself couldn’t have done it with more precision and excellence. We were driven to the Intercontinental Hotel for our swearing in ceremony at 8 am. This has been a very long 11 weeks of highly intensive training, so needless to say, we were all ecstatic to be finally sworn in. 42 of the 45 original aspirants (trainees) were actually sworn in. Throughout this process there is a lot of stress and people looking over your every move so the freedom that comes with this is incredible. The Ambassador came by the hotel for 2 hours to do the swearing in. Our host families, all the language facilitators, and the other Peace Corps workers participated in the ceremony.
Tonight we will have dinner at the director of the Peace Corps house. On Sunday I will leave for good to El Rama to begin Stage numero dos. I’m feeling better but I think I still have some bacteria growing in my stomach so I have had to take round 2 of the antibiotic treatment. I hope I get better.
Take Care.
Monday morning came around, and we met the kids at the bus station where the Peace Corps drivers came to pick us up to take us to a nice hotel about an hour away to have the competition. To our amazement they showed up decked out in school uniforms, brandishing a large Nicaraguan flag, a school flag, as well as bringing a table cloth and ingredients to help with the table presentation of the product. We set up shop and it looked great, our table was by far the most impressive out of the 13 teams. Each team had to present their product to a 3 person panel of judges for 10-15 minutes. The judges would then ask some relevant questions to see what the kids really know. The criteria for judging was based on, presentation, packaging, labeling, taste or quality, depending on the product, and creativity.
Well the third place team received 86 points out of 100 for their bean sweet treat. The second place team received 89 points for their homemade shampoo as well as winning best overall packaging for their hand crafted bamboo painted containers. Finally, the first place team received an astounding 96 points for their incredible mango hot sauce. Haha, that’s right, we dominated and also won best labeling. Our kids received new backpacks and cell phones. They were so happy!
Then on Tuesday we all left our host families for good to go to Managua for the last few days of training before being sworn in. It was sad to say good bye to a family that has been so kind and generous to me over the last 3 months, but it was equally exciting to start the next phase of this Peace Corps Experience. We are split up into 2 hotels by the Peace Corps office in Managua, the Agriculture volunteers in one, and the business volunteers in the other. It has been phenomenal eating at restaurants and sleeping in a comfortable bed, and taking hot showers for the last 3 nights. Especially because when I get to El Rama, I have no running water, so I have to take bucket showers.
Throughout the last few days, we have had some seriously boring lectures and presentations. However, On Thursday, we went back to the U.S. Embassy to talk with and meet with some interesting and intelligent people. The U.S. Ambassador, Robert J. Callahan spoke to us for a while, and did a Q and A session as well. He was a really great guy – Funny, humble, intelligent, firm, diligent, and detailed, all the things that would make you a good leader. He told us some great stories, including experiences with the current president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega. We also met with some people that worked at USAID, the world’s most preeminent international aid organizations, and people from the Foreign Service. I really thought that Thursday was a pretty cool day. That was a nice lead into today, Friday July 30, 2010.
Today we all woke up around 6 am to get ready for the big day. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. I wore a nice light blue tie and a white shirt, the tie was done flawlessly and I must say Donald Trump himself couldn’t have done it with more precision and excellence. We were driven to the Intercontinental Hotel for our swearing in ceremony at 8 am. This has been a very long 11 weeks of highly intensive training, so needless to say, we were all ecstatic to be finally sworn in. 42 of the 45 original aspirants (trainees) were actually sworn in. Throughout this process there is a lot of stress and people looking over your every move so the freedom that comes with this is incredible. The Ambassador came by the hotel for 2 hours to do the swearing in. Our host families, all the language facilitators, and the other Peace Corps workers participated in the ceremony.
Tonight we will have dinner at the director of the Peace Corps house. On Sunday I will leave for good to El Rama to begin Stage numero dos. I’m feeling better but I think I still have some bacteria growing in my stomach so I have had to take round 2 of the antibiotic treatment. I hope I get better.
Take Care.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Bacterial Infection - Round One
Hello,
I just now am getting of a sickness my friends. A really shitty sickness, pun intended. I had a bacterial infection in my stomach. I started feeling a little off wednessday morning, but really i was feeling like i was getting a cold, nothing more. In fact i was kind of scared I was to become the 9th member of Nica 53 to get Dangue Fever. Ohh yea, thats right, 8 peaple in my group have already contracted Dangue fever, aka Bonebreaker disease. Luckily I was not the 9th unlucky person. I woke up wednessday night at about 3 in the morning, and in an instant, I was vomiting and peeing out of my but at the same time. Gross I know, but I thought you should really know one of the very frequent sicknesses we as Peace Corps trainees, and soon to be volunteers go through on a very regular basis.
Speaking of almost volunteers, In 6 short days from now, we will be sworn in finally. Well thats the plan at least. It will be really nice to finally be done with this stuff that we have to do during training, but at the same time I will miss being able to see gringos and speak the occational english language. Im excited to be a ramero however.
Oh mom, rob garrett and cruzer, thanks for the box. It was delicious, I ate all the peanut butter filled pretzles the first day. All of you can follow suit and sent me tasty treats as well.
Love you guys. Adios
I just now am getting of a sickness my friends. A really shitty sickness, pun intended. I had a bacterial infection in my stomach. I started feeling a little off wednessday morning, but really i was feeling like i was getting a cold, nothing more. In fact i was kind of scared I was to become the 9th member of Nica 53 to get Dangue Fever. Ohh yea, thats right, 8 peaple in my group have already contracted Dangue fever, aka Bonebreaker disease. Luckily I was not the 9th unlucky person. I woke up wednessday night at about 3 in the morning, and in an instant, I was vomiting and peeing out of my but at the same time. Gross I know, but I thought you should really know one of the very frequent sicknesses we as Peace Corps trainees, and soon to be volunteers go through on a very regular basis.
Speaking of almost volunteers, In 6 short days from now, we will be sworn in finally. Well thats the plan at least. It will be really nice to finally be done with this stuff that we have to do during training, but at the same time I will miss being able to see gringos and speak the occational english language. Im excited to be a ramero however.
Oh mom, rob garrett and cruzer, thanks for the box. It was delicious, I ate all the peanut butter filled pretzles the first day. All of you can follow suit and sent me tasty treats as well.
Love you guys. Adios
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